HEAD TO HEAD: Mourinho comes up against former Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo [GETTY/ BONGARTS]

The clash with the German side will see the west Londoners come up against former boss Roberto Di Matteo, who led the Blues to their first European Cup success in 2012.

Jose Mourinho's side were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Schalke in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

And here Starsport takes a look at where the Gelsenkirchen clash will be won and lost.

JOHN TERRY v KLAAS JAN HUNTELAAR

Both are in the latter stages of their careers but still with the ability to turn in crucial performances when their respective teams are in need of an experienced head.

Terry will be confident of dealing with Huntelaar at the Veltins Arena. The former England skipper has often been back to his imperious best ever since Jose Mourinho returned as manager at the start of last season, and his partnership at the heart of defence with the ever-improving Gary Cahill is just as important as the lethal attacking talent at Mourinho's disposal.

Dutchman Huntelaar, 31, hit Schalke's equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge two months ago and will be the go-to man again for Di Matteo, especially with talisman Julian Draxler ruled out until the new year.

CESC FABREGAS v JAN KIRCHHOFF

Fabregas has delivered everything that Mourinho would have wanted from him after bringing the Spaniard in from Barcelona.

The former Arsenal midfielder has been providing assists for fun and has 10 in the opening 12 Premier League games of the season.

He is a threat that needs to be shackled otherwise Schalke will find out just how good his range of passing is.

Kirchhoff, on loan at Schalke from Bayern Munich, has not been a regular in Di Matteo's side this season but has started the previous two games in a defensive midfield role and, if he is deployed there once more against Chelsea, the former Germany Under-21 international will be the man tasked with the unenviable job of keeping Fabregas quiet.

DIEGO COSTA v BENEDIKT HOWEDES

Schalke captain and World Cup winner with Germany in the summer, Howedes is certainly capable of nullifying the best hitmen in the game but he will have his hands full with Diego Costa.

The Spain international has scored 11 goals in his first 10 league games but has yet to find the back of the net in the Champions League this season, although that could change now Mourinho feels his summer signing is fully fit for the first time since his arrival.

Schalke have managed only three clean sheets since the previous meeting in west London on September 17 and Howedes will not be expecting a quiet evening with Costa in town.